Snap cinch belt apparatus and kit



Sept 4, 1962 P. 0 WILSON ETAL 3,052,005

SNAP CINCH BELT APPARATUS AND KIT Filed July 21, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet l 11 Ill! I I IJ| II 1| 42 4:2: 5 I y I Ex; I

P 2 INVENTOR /7 8] ,1; g u -i lebihzvwon ATTORNEY P 4, 1962 P. c. WILSON ETAL 3,052,005

SNAP CINCH BELT APPARATUS AND KIT 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 21, 1959 INVENTOR Barrel 6'. Wilson Lzzailk W It BY I ATTORNEY Sept. 4, 1962 P. c; WILSON ETAL 3,052,005

SNAP CINCH BELT APPARATUS AND KIT Filed July 21, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTORNEY 3,052,605 SNAP ClNCH BELT APPARATUS AND KIT Porter C. Wilson and Lucille E. Wilson, both of 320 E. Elvira Road, Tucson, Ariz. Filed July 21, 1959, Ser. No. 828,549 7 Claims. (Cl. 24-208) This invention relates to a kit with a plurality of individual component parts for subsequent assembly into a very decorative cinch belt to be Worn by individuals in accordance with their own personal tastes.

In the past, inadequate apparatus have been manufactured which normally comprised a simple belt and attaching means for the various parts with the minimum of selection of design by the ultimate wearer but, other than that, an economical cinch belt has not yet been produced providing a simple but sturdy attachment of the parts and a relatively wide selection of the features and color designs.

It is contemplated that the component parts of the cinch belt, having a plurality of indicia or decorations for selection in various combinations and colors are presented in kit form to enable the design to be changed at will. The colored flexible plastic buckle parts are molded and designed to be snapped together to firmly fasten the elastic to the buckle without sewing.

Colored plastic back-up studs having varying colored plastic designs have been provided and adapted to be snapped in selected positions around the belt. Obviously, these plastic designs may be readily changed to accommodate various purposes and the kit will contain a plurality of selections from which to choose. As indicated in the different views, the buckle is provided with a snap-in arrangement to accommodate a photograph or other items and is protected with a Plexiglas window or transparent covering. It can readily be appreciated that the user will have a variety of items in the kit from which to choose substitute decorations or color combinations which may readily be changed at will.

In the use of the kit, having many selections of equipment to form the desired apparatus, the user may cut the elastic according to individual measurements, insert or attach the particular selection for personal desired decorations and color and then complete the assembly.

It is an object of our invention to provide, in kit form for assembly, a selective arrangement of attaching elements of flexible plastic which are molded and designed to be readily snapped together which may be permanently secured to an elastic belt without sewing or the usual method of fastening.

Another object is to provide colored back-up studs upon which may be mounted one or more of a plurality of colored plastic designs in determined locations upon the belt.

A further objective is the provision of colored cinch belt elastics of lengths to accommodate selection for varying waist widths of the wearer.

Still another object is to provide a kit containing one or more designs or colors for each of the plurality of component parts to enable a wide selection by the user.

An additional object is to provide a buckle fastening constnuction that may be readily assembled and separated.

A still further objective is the provision of a plurality of decal holders and decals which attach around the flexible belt.

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of the assembled cinch belt and component parts.

b FIGURE 2 is an end elevation of the lower base mem- FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of FIGURE 1.

3,052,005 Patented Sept. 4, 1962 ice FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of the female member.

FIGURE 5 is a similar perspective View of the male member.

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of one of the belt connecting or locking means.

FIGURE 7 is a modification showing a double locking arrangement.

FIGURE 8 is a sectional view of a Plexiglas decal holder, While FIGURE 9 is a top plan view of the same.

In the drawings where similar reference characters denote like parts, the numeral 10 refers to the main flat base of the male connecting member. Two large opposed resilient studs 12 and 14 are located at one end of the male member having flat vertical surfaces 16 and i8 inwardly thereof, forming overhanging ledges or caps 20 and 22, respectively. A similar stud 28, of reduced diameter, is positioned centrally at the opposite end and is also provided with a flat vertical surface 26 and an overhanging ledge 28. It has been found advisable to mold the male and female members, as well as the other component elements of Plexiglas or othere suitable plastics.

The inner end 30 of the lower flat base member 10 is adapted to be retained in a groove 32 in an elongated elastic belt securing female member 34. On the top of this member 34 a square cut-out or opening 36 has been made and a longitudinal groove 38 is formed in the opposite end of this member to receive a lock 40 secured on the end of the elastic belt portion 42. A lug 44 is formed on the top of this lock 40 having a tapered edge and adapted to slide into the groove 38 to frictionally engage in the cutout 36. As indicated, this type of connection or lock is provided at each end of the belt and releasably secured at these ends.

A companion or associated female member 46, of comparable size and formation to the male member 10 and having a raised rim 47 is provided with a circular opening or cavity 48 to receive a photograph or emblem 66 over which is secured or snapped a Plexiglas cover 68. The rim 47 is notched at 49 to permit a knife or tool to be slipped under the Plexiglas cover so that the decoration may be readily changed. An elongated member 50, similar to 34, having a narrow longitudinal groove or slot 52 to receive the outer end 53 of the flat portion 46 is provided with a cut-out 54- in the top surface. Arcuate cut-outs 56 and 58 are made in the sides of the flat or base members for engagement with the studs 12 and 14- of the male member 10 when in position. A smaller aperture 60 is provided centrally of the opposed end for subsequent engagement with the smaller resilient stud or stabilizer 24 and an elongated longitudinal groove, comparable to that formed in the other member, is formed in the outer end 64 to receive a companion lock, similar to lock 40 attached to the other end of the flexible belt 42. A lug 76 having an inclined or tapered front end 77 and abutment 70, similar to the one on the opposite lock 34, is formed on the top and is adapted to be frictionally retained in the cut-out 54. Although identical, it will be observed that only one of these looks, as in FIGURE 6, has been shown in the perspective views while both have been indicated in FIGURE 2.

The circular opening or cavity 48 has been designed to accommodate a picture, initials, indicia, or other types of decorations 66 that may be selected from a plurality of designs.

In assembly, with the heads 34 and 50 opposed, the smaller stud is engaged in the opening 60 under the lip 28 and the flat plate portion 46 is pressed downwardly so that the edges around the cut-outs 56 and 58 will engage the studs 12 and 14 under the overhanging lips 2.0 and 22. This enables secure attachment of these members although they may be readily separated.

Previously, the ends of the elastic belt portions 42 have been secured between the two halves 7t and 72 of each of the locks 40. These members have abutments 73 and the apertures 74 that are formed in the lugs 44 are adapted to receive spikes 76 or other elastic belt securing means. The belt 42 may be additionally secured by spikes 78 as particularly shown in FIGURE 6.

Although some of the component parts of the subject apparatus have been separated shown in the drawings it is to be understood that the parts may be integrally molded. For example, the retaining or securing spikes 76 and 78, together with the two half sections of the lock may be unitarily molded.

In the modification shown in FIGURE 7 wherein a double locking construction has been disclosed, the numeral 80 refers to the elastic belt securing element, similar to the lock 34, having an elongated groove 82 and a pair of cut-outs 84. This member 80 is adapted to be similarly positioned on the end of the fiat member or 46. A double locking member 86 comprises a pair of L-shaped members 88, turned on their sides, with a pair of wedges or lugs 90 positioned or secured on the top surface of the upper L-shaped member. An end of the elastic belt 42 is adapted to be similarly secured by spikes 92 between the L-shaped members 88 and when the end of the lock 86 is inserted in the longitudinal groove 82 the two lugs 90 will become frictionally engaged in the double cut-outs 84. It can be appreciated that this lock, with the exception of the double lug and cut-out arrangement is comparable to the preferred form shown in the previous views.

For convenience in assembly, the kit may well include a length of elastic in a plurality of colors; a buckle of polyethylene flexible plastic in a choice of colors, the buckle comprising a pair of bottom lock halves of the same material and a pair of top buckle halves having spike receiving apertures and a large depressed opening or cavity with pry-out notches formed in the upper half and a Pexiglas window adapted to be snapped into the display cavity. The polyethylene back-up studs are in different colors to match the buckle selection and blank designs having a selection of indicia or decorations for application to the items and these may be also snapped into desired locations on the studs. These items are also molded and are of flexible polyethylene and in assorted colors. In addition, complete instructions to enable the easy assembly of the cinch belt and component parts are enclosed in the kit.

In FIGURES 8 and 9, the numeral 94 refers to a decal holder attached to the flexible belt 42. This holder, of Plexiglas, is circular and is provided with a snap rim 96 and integral therewith is a stud 98 having a button or rim 160 formed thereon to retain a washer 102. A Plexiglas disc 104 having a decal 106 applied thereto is inserted or snapped in the holder 94. A slot or notch 108 is made in the rim 96 to enable the disc 104 to be readily removed for substitutions. Due to the material used the rim 100 may be readily pried loose to separate the washer and to enable the decal holder to be separated from the elastic belt.

The kits would usually contain the following listed component parts from which selections could be made to acquire the design or effect desired; molded Plexiglas male and female connecting members, belt securing members, locks, decal holders and a plurality of emblems, photographs, etc., for the circular opening, flexible belt lengths in varying colors and widths to be cut and decals of different letters, numbers and inscriptions.

In assembly, the waist of the wearer is first measured and the elastic is cut a few inches shorter. The bottom halves of the buckle locks are placed in position upon the elastic ends and the elastic is then pressed over the spikes which are frictionally secured in the openings followed by the application of the top halves. The locks are then snapped into the lock cavities and due to the relative sizes, when the lock is pressed into position, the top of the cavity will ride up the incline of the keeper lock securer until this keeper falls into its lock cavity for its desired location. Measurements are then made and the desired holes punched in the elastic. The studs are put through the rear and the design snapped in place. The belt display may be selected and then snapped into the desired locations.

We claim:

1. In a cinch belt device, male and female members connecting the ends of an elastic belt, the male member comprising a main base portion provided with opposed studs mounted on one end thereof, said studs having a fiat vertical surface and an overhanging ledge, a belt securing member having an elongated transverse groove formed therein mounted on the opposite end of said male member adapted to be secured to one end of said belt and having a square cut-out in the top surface of said belt securing member, a similar stud of a reduced diameter positioned between said first mentioned studs and said belt securing member centrally of said male member but in close proximity to said belt securing member, said female member, of comparable size and formation, having a central raised rim, is provided with a smaller circular opening at one end thereof, there being arcuate cut-outs on each side of the opposite end, a belt securing member received on the same end having an elongated groove for the reception of one end of said female member, there being a square cut-Out formed in the top central surface of said belt securing member, a lock comprising two halves each having a vertical abutment mounted thereon, a centrally disposed lug mounted on the front top surface of one of said halves adapted to be retained in a square cut-out of one of said belt securing members, and the female member adapted to 'be positioned over said male member with the smaller opening engaging the smaller stud on the male member whereby the connecting members are removably secured.

2. The type of cinch belt device as defined in claim 1; whereby a decorative plastic disc is adapted to be snapped into the raised rim area of said female member.

3. The type of an elastic cinch belt device as defined in claim 1; and a plurality of Plexiglas decal holding means secured around the periphery of said elastic belt, said means comprising a disc secured to said belt having a snap ring retainer and a slot formed in said disc whereby said decal may readily be removed.

4. The type of cinch belt device as defined in claim 3 having a second lock; and means for enabling said second lock to be releasably secured to the other of said belt securing member comprising second vertical abutments on said second lock adapted to contact the rear of said other belt securing member and a second lock lug adapted to be retained in the square cut-out in said other belt securing member.

5. A buckle and an elastic belt having belt securing members provided with a longitudinal groove and a central square cut-out in the top surface thereof, locks secured to the ends of said belt having a lug mounted on the top surface and adapted to be received in said square cut-out of each of said securing members, male and female members mounted on the ends of said belt securing members, said male member comprising a base having a plurality of large and small studs mounted thereon and one end secured in said belt securing member, said female member comprising a base having a central raised rim and a small opening in one end with the other end secured in its companion belt securing member and the sides of said base provided with arcuate cut-outs, said female member adapted to be positioned ove rsaid male member with said arcurate cutouts engaging the larger studs of the male member and 5 the smaller stud being engaged by the opening whereby a releasable locking engagement is effected.

6. A type of buckle as defined in claim 5; and means for enabling locks to be releasably secured to said belt securing members comprising vertical abutments on 5 said locks adapted to contact the rear of said belt securing members and the retention of said lock lug with the square cut-outs in said belt securing members.

7. The type of buckle is defined in claim 6; and a decorative disc adapted to be snapped Within the raised rim 10 area of said female member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Budd Oct. 2, Pforr June 28, Stoll May 29, Jabner June 19, Kreisler Oct. 29; Bangs Sept. 1, 

